Kathmandu – The government and private sector have stepped up efforts to reopen the Tatopani border point with China ahead of Dashain.
The border point has been closed since September 30. The government and business representatives have asked the Chinese side to reopen it as soon as possible.
The Rasuwagadhi border point has also been closed since September 26 after floods damaged roads and customs infrastructure. The road to the Korala border point has also been damaged by recent floods.
With all three major border points affected, vehicles carrying cars, clothing, fruits and other goods are stranded on the roads.
Officials from the Foreign Affairs, Finance and Infrastructure ministries held talks with the Chinese Embassy on Monday about reopening Tatopani. The government has also sent a formal request to China.
Business representatives also met Chinese Embassy officials on Tuesday and requested the early reopening of the border point.
China has not yet given an official date for reopening Tatopani. Chinese officials have, however, raised concerns about the condition of the road on the Nepali side.
A team from the Nepal government and Chinese Embassy inspected the road to Tatopani on Tuesday. The inspection is expected to help the Chinese side decide whether to reopen the border.
Dipendra Prakash Giri, chief of the Tatopani Customs Office, said there has been no official information from China yet.
“Nothing official has been communicated so far. However, there is talk that the border could reopen within a week,” Giri told MeroAuto.
The road to Tatopani has faced several disruptions during the monsoon due to landslides. Sections around Ghatthekhola, Liping, Dakanlang and Eco were affected.
Road Division Office Charikot engineer Netra Bilash Paudel said the damaged sections have now been repaired and vehicles are moving normally.
“There is no major problem on the road to Tatopani Customs. The damaged sections have been repaired and vehicles are operating normally,” Paudel told MeroAuto.
He said some sections, including Ghatthekhola, are still narrow. “If the border reopening is confirmed, we can improve those sections within a day or two. The road condition should not stop the border from reopening,” he said.
The 114-km Araniko Highway connects Kathmandu with the Tatopani border. The 85-km section from Kathmandu to Barhabise is mostly in good condition, except for some problems around Dhulikhel-Khawa.
The 26-km section from Barhabise to Tatopani is still being upgraded. Some sections have potholes and rough surfaces, while parts of the road are yet to be blacktopped.
